Pacific Bluefin Fish Sells for Unprecedented Sum of $3.2 million at Tokyo Auction

A substantial bluefin tuna caused a stir at the Toyosu fish market this Monday, achieving a unprecedented bid of 510.3 million yen ($3.2m; £2.4m) during the market's first auction of the year.

The winning bid for the 535-pound fish was placed by the operator of a nationwide sushi chain, which manages outlets domestically and overseas.

"The first tuna brings a prosperous start," commented the entrepreneur, a regular figure at the yearly new year's auction.

Dubbed the Tuna Tycoon, this entrepreneur is famous for submitting high bids for premium bluefin tuna at these high-profile new year auctions.

Auction Surprise and Record-Setting Precedent

After the auction, the successful bidder told the press that he was "surprised at the amount," stating, "I believed we would be able to buy it a little cheaper, but the price soared before you knew it."

This most recent acquisition surpasses his previous record purchases:

• He bid 56.5 million yen back in 2012.
• He spent 155 million yen in 2013.
• In 2019, he purchased a tuna for 333.6 million yen ($2.1m).

Despite previously saying that he thought he "overdid it," he has now gone on to shatter his personal record another time.

A Tradition of Exorbitant Bids

The opening auction at the Tokyo fish market is typically associated with exceptionally high prices. In the prior year, the first tuna was bought for 207 million yen by another sushi chain operator, which indicated the fish would be featured at its restaurants nationwide.

The high-energy activity at the fish market during these pre-dawn auctions has evolved into a must-see event in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which began around 05:00 local time, was equally bustling.

Immediate Consumption

The multi-million-dollar tuna was shortly thereafter processed for customers at the winner's sushi restaurants shortly after the auction was finished.

"I sense like I've commenced the year in a auspicious way after tasting something so fortune-bringing as the year begins," said one happy patron.